Deputy Editor, Clinical Obesity

Job Overview

The Deputy Editor will play a pivotal role in shaping the scientific direction, academic quality, and clinical relevance of Clinical Obesity. Working in close partnership with the Editor-in-Chief (EIC), the Deputy Editor oversee components of end-to-end manuscript lifecycle for submissions as determined and agreed with the EIC. Submitted manuscripts cover the full spectrum of obesity research—from basic science and metabolic pathways to clinical trials, bariatric surgery, pharmacotherapy, and policy.

The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented academic or clinical professional with a robust track record in the obesity field and a deep understanding of scientific integrity, publication ethics, contemporary obesity research and management, and evolving digital publishing trends. The successful candidate will have a strong track record of publication in peer review journals, as a reviewer, and ideally have substantive editorial experience, for example as an Assistant, Associate, or Deputy Editor.

Key Responsibilities

These will be determined by the EIC in discussion with the Deputy Editor and may include some of the following tasks:

1. Manuscript Triage & Editorial Decision-Making

• Obesity-Specific Triage: Conduct rapid, high-level qualitative assessments of incoming manuscripts to evaluate methodological rigor, reporting transparency, and relevance to the global obesity community.

• Desk Decisions: Efficiently execute desk-rejection ("with editor") workflows for out-of-scope papers, under-powered clinical studies, or poorly designed animal models, protecting reviewer resources.

• Peer Review Management: Oversee the external peer-review process for selected manuscripts. Coordinate with specialized Associate Editors to recruit appropriate clinical investigators, basic scientists, bariatric surgeons, and in-house statistical reviewers.

• Final Determinations: Evaluate conflicting reviewer feedback to issue definitive, fair editorial decisions (Accept, Revise & Resubmit, or Reject), consulting with the EIC on high-stakes, controversial, or complex submissions (e.g., landmark clinical trials or consensus guidelines).

2. Strategic & Content Development

• Commissioning Content: Invite leading global experts to write editorials, commentaries, and systematic reviews that contextualize major trial readouts or policy updates.

3. Publication Ethics, Quality & Stigma Reduction

• Research Integrity: Enforce strict adherence to international reporting guidelines (e.g., CONSORT for obesity clinical trials, STROBE for observational metabolic studies, PRISMA for systematic reviews).

• People-First Language & Stigma Reduction: Strictly enforce journal policies regarding non-stigmatizing, people-first language (e.g., utilizing "people with obesity" rather than "obese patients") and ensure accompanying imagery or abstracts do not perpetuate weight bias.

• Ethical Oversight: Manage complex ethical queries in accordance with Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines, paying specific attention to industry-sponsored pharmaceutical or device trial disclosures and potential conflicts of interest.

4. Networking, Representation & Leadership

• Deputizing for EIC: Act as the primary operational leader and decision-maker during the absence or annual leave of the Editor-in-Chief.

• Editorial Board Engagement: Support the EIC in leading annual Editorial Board meetings, strategic review sessions, and publisher-liaison syncs.

• Global Ambassador: Represent the journal at major international conferences (e.g., European Congress on Obesity (ECO), ObesityWeek, IFSO) to build international networks and attract diverse global perspectives.

Position Requirements

Experience & Education

• Field Expertise: A distinct clinical or research focus within obesity, metabolic health, endocrinology, bariatric surgery, preventive medicine, or public health.

• Publication Track Record: Extensive personal experience in academic publishing, characterized by a strong history of authorship (e.g., corresponding author on at least 20+ peer-reviewed papers in recognized obesity or metabolic journals).

• Editorial Experience: Minimum of 2-3 years of progressive editorial experience within a peer-reviewed medical journal (e.g., serving as an Associate Editor, Section Editor, or senior peer reviewer).

Core Skills & Knowledge

• Clinical/Scientific Judgement: Critical appraisal skills with the ability to quickly assess the validity, bias, and (clinical) utility of diverse research methodologies, from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to epidemiological models.

• Ethical Literacy: In-depth knowledge of biomedical publication ethics, clinical trial registration rules, and Open Access frameworks.

• Workflow Proficiency: Familiarity with, or willingness to learn the online manuscript submission system used by World Obesity Journals/Wiley

Values & Attributes

• Commitment to Inclusivity: A proactive desire to champion Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) across the author, reviewer, and editorial board pools, ensuring strong representation from low- and middle-income countries heavily impacted by the global obesity pandemic.

• Bias Awareness: A deep understanding of weight stigma in medical research and clinical practice, and a commitment to keeping the journal a safe, evidence-based, respectful environment.

Benefit Package

The Deputy Editor will receive a modest honorarium on an annual basis, as part of a wider support package including dedicated Editorial Office support, with strategic support from WOF and the publisher, and opportunities to be involved in planning journal-related international virtual events and dissemination.

Application

To apply please submit a CV and cover letter to [email protected] setting out your motivation for applying and summarising your key relevant skills and experience (maximum 800 words) no later than 26 November, 12 noon (GMT). (Applications after this deadline will not be considered.) The role will officially commence in January, 2027.

This is a 100% remote position open to candidates based anywhere